Statement
to the Media
Hon.
David Kilgour, P.C., M.P.
Secretary
of State, Asia-Pacific
Hotel
Le Meridian, Jakarta, Indonesia
June
24th, 2002
(Check
Against Delivery)
Canada is strongly
committed to further enhancing
its relations with the Republic
of Indonesia. It is fitting
that we are officially opening
a new Chancery later today,
in celebration of 50 years
of diplomatic relations.
Over the past
half century, our bilateral
relationship has grown significantly. Indonesia is Canada's
largest export market in
South East Asia.
In 2001, accumulated
Canadian foreign direct
investment totaled almost
$CND 9 billion, in areas
including mining, petroleum,
footwear, and financial
services.
On June 21st,
I met with representatives
of major Canadian investors
and businesses in Indonesia.
Among other issues,
we discussed how Canadian
companies and individuals
could be encouraged to invest
here.
In the last
50 years, Canada has
also contributed
over $CDN 1 billion in development
assistance to Indonesia.
In 2001, Canada's
total development assistance
was over $CDN 38 million.
One component
of this program is Canada's
longstanding relationship
with the State Institute
for Islamic Studies (IAIN).
On June 22nd,
I met with Prof. Dr. H.M.
Amin Abdullah, Rector of
IAIN - Yogyakarta, as well
as some of his academic
staff and students. This
visit provided an opportunity
to learn about the role
of IAINs in Islamic education
in Indonesia and the status
of inter-faith relations
and dialogue in the region.
Inter-faith
issues were also discussed
in a meeting with His Royal
Highness Sri Sultan
Hamengku Buwono
X, Sultan Yogyakarta.
As multi-religious,
multi-cultural nations,
Canada and Indonesia
have much to share in this
regard. Later today,
I will speak on
this subject to the Indonesian
Council on World Affairs.
Over the course
of my visit, I have discussed
these issues with my Indonesian
counterparts:
·
His
Excellency, Dr. Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Minister of
Energy;
·
Her
Excellency, Rinj Soewandi,
Minister of Trade and Industry;
and
·
Ambassador
Amien Riamon, Deputy Minister
to the Coordinating Minister
for Security and Political
Affairs.
On the subject
of Manulife Financial Services
and the disturbing decision
of the Central Jakarta Commercial
Court to declare the company
insolvent, I have been encouraged
by the concern shown by
members of the Indonesia
government, business, the
media and by recent media
reports that the Superior
Court will launch an investigation
into the commercial judges
who ruled in the decision.
To re-iterate:
·
Manulife
is one of Canada’s flagship
companies.
·
Manulife
is one of Canada’s largest
insurance companies and
one of the ten largest in
the world.
·
It
has always been a good corporate
citizen of Indonesia, contributing
much to Indonesia’s economy
and community.
·
It
is Indonesia’s fourth largest
insurer, with total assets
of 2.1 trillion Indonesian Rupiahs.
·
It
employs almost 4,000 people
and has approximately 400,000
policy holders.
·
In
fact, more than 120 years
ago, Canada’s first Prime
Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald,
went on to become Manulife’s
first President.
Canada believes
that the whole issue of Manulife, if not resolved
satisfactorily, could affect
Indonesia’s ability to attract
much needed foreign investment.
Canada is heartened
by assurances it received
from government officials
this morning indicating
that:
·
the
government of Indonesia
takes this matter very seriously;
·
it
wishes the issue will be
solved in a just way, in
accordance with the law;
·
it
has great concern for the
4,000 employees of Manulife
and the 400,000 policy-holders;
and
·
it
has and always welcomed
Manulife in Indonesia as
a foreign investor.
Given this,
Canada expects that Manulife’s
appeal will be heard as
expeditiously and fairly
as possible.
Canada also
expects that, in the interim,
a responsible, accredited,
independent and unbiased
curator will be appointed,
and the company will be
allowed to continue its
operations to provide full
services to its clients.
Canada is very
supportive, as is the IMF,
of the government’s ongoing
work to enact appropriate
amendments to the Bankruptcy
Law and any other relevant
laws so that these sort
of spurious bankruptcy claims
can be avoided in the future.
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